Arts & Culture

SU Brass Ensemble kicks off 2011-12 season with ‘Silver Screen’ concert in Rome Oct. 23

Thursday, October 13, 2011, By Rob Enslin

The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble (SUBE), a 35-piece group housed in Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, kicks off the 2011-12 season with its popular “Silver Screen” program. The concert—emceed by WCNY-FM’s Bruce Paulsen, with projected images coordinated by Larry Royer G’79 of Animotion Inc.—is on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 3 p.m. in the historic Rome Capitol Theatre (220 West Dominick St., Rome).

Tickets are $5. For more information and directions, contact the Rome Capitol Theatre at 315-337-6453, or visit http://romecapitol.com.

The program includes selections from the Walt Disney, Gilbert and Sullivan and Broadway songbooks; the James Bond series; “Jurassic Park”; “Saving Private Ryan”; “The Bridge on the River Kwai”; “Pride and Prejudice”; “The Magnificent Seven”; and “Henry V.”

“I can’t think of a more suitable venue for such an event,” says James T. Spencer, SUBE’s music director, who also serves as the college’s Meredith Professor and associate dean for science, mathematics and research. “With its full-size stage, giant movie screen and generous seating capacity, the Rome Capitol Theatre is perfect for reliving the sights and sounds of Hollywood. The concert is fun for the whole family.”

Spencer adds that SUBE originated the movie concept several years ago at the Palace Theatre in Syracuse. The response to the music—and venue—was so positive that the event has become an annual tradition.

“We’re thrilled to not only partner with the Rome Capitol Theatre, but also present our ‘Silver Screen’ program for the first time in Rome,” he says. “In movie parlance, the venue is almost a character unto itself.”

Upcoming SUBE concerts include holiday programs on Sunday, Nov. 27, at Saints Peter and John Episcopal Church (169 Genesee St., Auburn); on Sunday, Dec. 4, in SU’s Hendricks Chapel; and on Sunday, Dec. 11, at the United Church of Fayetteville (310 East Genesee St., Fayetteville). Spring highlights include a joint concert with the University of Rochester Brass Ensemble at Hendricks Chapel and an invitational performance at the Gettysburg (Pa.) Festival.

SUBE features professional, amateur and student musicians from Central New York, many of whom are doctors, teachers and retirees. In addition to performing at official functions at SU and Le Moyne College, SUBE presents more than a dozen public concerts a year, including the award-winning “Holidays at Hendricks,” broadcast on WCNY TV and radio throughout New York state and in parts of Canada. Distinguished composers from whom SUBE has commissioned music include Robert Ward, Arthur Frackenpohl and Joseph Downing. More information is at SUBE on Facebook.